Summer Solstice arrives Thursday June 21st at 4:07 AM Mountain Time (6:07 AM EST). This marks the point when the northern hemisphere is at its furthest tilt toward the sun. Observers in ancient times would have noticed the sun moving in a northward direction and then stopping and heading back the other way. One way to think about this is that the two solstices (Summer and Winter), in contrast to the equinoxes, are the most out of balance points on this journey.
Present day Solstice events celebrate the beginning of summer and the longest day of the year. But our ancestors’ events included rituals and prayers to ensure that the sun shifted direction. There must have been relief on everyone’s part when the sun “turned around” from its extreme position. The celebrations followed once they knew they were heading toward balance.
Balance as Mindfulness Focus Word
There are all kinds of reasons to celebrate celestial events. Simply recognizing our place in the universe is one. But we can also view the Solstice as a metaphor of extremes and focus on how we can personally resonate with the move toward balance.
Currently the world feels like it is at an extreme tipping point. For some reason we haven’t started our journey back toward balance yet. Within this extreme place, we can focus on seeking our own balance. As a starting point we find a centered place within ourselves through whatever spiritual (or otherwise) practice we have.
Acting from an internal place of balance and groundedness makes us more effective. We may not be able to change everything in the world, but we CAN change somethings. We can stay rooted in balance and then step up in whatever way we can to make the world a better place.
For more information on weekly mindfulness focus words click here.
Summer Solstice Events at Bluff Lake Nature Center
For Denver folks, Bluff Lake Nature Center will be hosting Summer Solstice Celebrations from Thursday June 21st through Sunday June 24th. On Thursday, the 21st, be there at 5 AM for a Summer Solstice Welcoming Ceremony. On Sunday morning, June 24th, I’ll be leading a ½ hour qigong session followed by a mindfulness walk. We begin at 7:30 AM. Check this link for details of all events.
Summer Solstice Information
Earthsky.org – All You Need To Know
Farmer’s Almanac – Summer Solstice 2018
